Uses and Reaction Tendencies
When nitrogen is heated, it combines with magnesium, lithium, or calcium; when mixed with oxygen and electric sparks, it forms first nitric acid (NO) and then the dioxide (NO2); when heated under pressure with hydrogen, ammonia is formed (Haber process). The ammonia is used in fertilizers and can be oxidized to nitric acid (Ostwald process).
Large amounts of gas are also used by the electronics industry as a blanketing medium when producing transistors, diodes, etc. Large quantities of nitrogen are used in annealing stainless steel and other steel mill products. The drug industry also uses large quantities.
Nitrogen is used as a refrigerant both for the immersion freezing of food products and for transportation of foods. Liquid nitrogen is also used in missile work as a cleaning tool for components, insulators for space chambers. Ammonia, nitric acid, the nitrates, the five oxides, TNT, the cyanides, etc. are but a few of the important compounds.
Nitrogen is also very important to plant and animal life. It is involved in a process called the "Nitrogen Cycle", as illustrated below.
There are also some other more unconventional things to do with nitrogen such as launch stuff with it or make ice cream with it.